Jethro Mastiff Crossbreed DOB 2011 Waterlooville

Dogs that have found their forever home
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MrsP
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Re: Jethro Mastiff Crossbreed DOB 2011 Guildford Kenns

Post by MrsP »

To say that Jethro enjoyed being out along the river this morning would be a massive understatement! He wanted to say hello to everyone and everything, including the river itself which made me laugh so hard we nearly ended up in the lock! He's so cuddly and affectionate and enthusiastic.
I walked him with a non-pull harness and he did some lovely walking to heel, it wasn't constant but he managed it regularly which I think shows amazing promise.

Only managed 1 'decent' photo due to drizzle/cuddles/my shaking with giggles! :biggrin.gif:

Watching partridges
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MrsP
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Re: Jethro Mastiff Crossbreed DOB 2011 Guildford Kenns

Post by MrsP »

So Jethro's walking is coming on a treat everything is still super exciting but he was around lots of offlead dogs today and did pretty well. A pack of three labs came to say hello, he looked a bit worried so they kept their distance (well socialised bunch that they were) and we all stood there calmly having a chat. Jethro likes to bark at other dogs but by the end of our walk he'd given up because there were just too many :biggrin.gif: He got a fair few cuddles from strangers today which has to be one of his most favourite things. He's just awesome.

Obligatory bridge shot
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Watching the massive group of 'kayakers', such a cutie!
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MrsP
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Re: Jethro Mastiff Crossbreed DOB 2011 Guildford Kenns

Post by MrsP »

Jethro and I went on a long road walk followed by a little countryside mud sliding yesterday :biggrin.gif: He walked completely to heel on my right hand side, on a loose lead the entire time we were walking along the road, to say I was pleased with him was an understatement. We then found a quiet country path and ran around together getting covered in mud, he's such great company.
There were quite a few walkers in yesterday, I only did 3 walks, so once the harnesses and leads were sorted and everyone had their dried liver I decided to spend my spare time with Jethro. Now I know kennel photos are a bit of a no-no so I've 'rubbed out' the background in these pics, they look a bit odd but Jethro looks so cute I had to share. I'd had a rubbish week but half an hour sat in a kennel with Jethro has to be the best therapy there is.

Hi I'm Jethro, yes I am gorgeous, thanks for noticing
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tummy rubs and snoozes
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:smiley-gen132.gif:
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MrsP
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Re: Jethro Mastiff Crossbreed DOB 2011 Guildford Kenns

Post by MrsP »

I've begun taking Jethro over a railway bridge on our route to practice his 'easy' and 'wait', it involves going up and down lots of steps. He's doing fabulously and he doesn't pull me up or down, he seems to really enjoy concentrating and learning.

We took a break from the constant drizzle at the bus stop by the kennels.
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Watching the horses in the paddock opposite us, Jethro has a very lurcher feel about him. I do love him, look at that big beautiful head!
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MrsP
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Re: Jethro Mastiff Crossbreed DOB 2011 Guildford Kenns

Post by MrsP »

Jethro hung out in the paddock with me yesterday.

PLAY!
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Fine figure of a lad
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RUNNING!
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but as soon as I sat down someone was straight at my feet :smiley-love014.gif:
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AdChar

Re: Jethro Mastiff Crossbreed DOB 2011 Guildford Kenns

Post by AdChar »

So I've had the pleasure of several walks with Jethro over the past couple of weeks, and he's just an awesome young dog. He appears to cope well in kennels, and always greets you with a frantic wagging tail and a huge outpouring of affection. I would guess in his short and unfortunate start in life, he was lucky enough to be pretty well socialised. Even in his excitement to have company and his desire to get out, he exhibits some lovely inhibitions, and it's never a struggle to get him harnessed up even in the kennel environment. He's a strong boy, much stronger than his size and stature would have you believe, but after his initial excitement at being free, and a quick energy burn in the paddock with a ball or two, he's a lot more settled on lead. And the more he walks, the more settled he becomes. Lead is always pretty slack on the final walk back from the river.

What's wonderful about him though, is that even in spite of his power, you can pull the lead taut to stop him and he will either circle back to your side, or simply stop and observe. Even when the lead then slackens straight off, he will more or less wait for you to continue, before he sets off again. He has some really good self control. He'll sit for treats or toys, often even when he's at a really high level of arousal in the paddock, never snatches or bowls you over. The only thing I'd be mindful of, is when he's down with a ball or kong (and especially with any kind of food) and has it covered this his paws, he can occasionally act a little worried if you try to take it from him. So just let him lead on when he's happy to give something up. I follow the rule that if he has it covered -leave it, if he doesn't - pick it up. I should stress that he's never done anything inappropriate, it's just purely an observation and I always prefer to not put him in a position where he may feel a bit compromised or unduly concerned.

When out and about, he's passed a number of dogs, big and small and always been very appropriate and friendly. Any yapping is always out of frustration, as I'm sure he'd love nothing more than to go and say hello, and be off lead running around with them! Always offers nice body language though on lead, if a bit starey at times with dogs that eyeball him or are a bit rubbish at making their intentions clear. He's always extremely alert and fascinated by the sights and sounds out and about.

He adores people. Always wants to say hello to strangers and fawn all over them like a goon. (The workmen currently doing a job at the bus stop love him!) We always stop at a couple of points on the walk just to take some time out and he always comes right up and leans in, the closer the better. Sometimes he's more or less sat right on your lap! I think with the switch from kennels to a home, he would go from strength to strength, provided his young needs are met. He'll make a wonderful companion for someone and really does deserve to be snatched up in a heartbeat!
Getting down to some tennis ball destruction..
Getting down to some tennis ball destruction..
AdChar

Re: Jethro Mastiff Crossbreed DOB 2011 Guildford Kenns

Post by AdChar »

A lunchtime walk along the river with Jethro. How handsome is this boy? Just a wonderful dog all ready and waiting to turn some lucky person's house into a home.
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MrsP
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Re: Jethro Mastiff Crossbreed DOB 2011 Guildford Kenns

Post by MrsP »

Sooooo it was my birthday on Saturday and I was able to spend extra time with Jethro because lots of walkers came in to enable me to do so (Thank you guys).
We went for a two hour adventure in the sunshine, first walking along the main road into Guildford town centre. When we got to the bridge that leads into the main street Jethro nearly burst with joy at all the people. He got lots of attention and was incredibly gentle with the children who came to say hello. We then walked to Shalford Park, then the marshes, the river and back to kennels. Great day.

Taking in the view
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City dog (once the crowds had died down a bit)
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He may or may not have a mouth full of sausage in this pic
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Ahhhhh a sunny April day in a beautiful park with a beautiful boy, what more can you ask for?
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MrsP
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Re: Jethro Mastiff Crossbreed DOB 2011 Guildford Kenns

Post by MrsP »

Had a little recall fun with Jethro yesterday, he's very engaged with his surroundings so it can take a while to get his attention. He's coming on a treat and came back to me whenever I asked him to (admittedly he had to think about it on occasion).

off he goes
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and back he comes
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Fave photo
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MrsP
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Re: Jethro Mastiff Crossbreed DOB 2011 Guildford Kenns

Post by MrsP »

:biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif: :biggrin.gif:
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Such a daft lad :smiley-gen132.gif:
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